Substrate anchoring device

ABSTRACT

A fastener for attaching together layers of a substrate. The fastener includes a slide body, a bolt, a conical spring, and a toggle having a pivot coupled with one end of the slide body. The conical spring is disposed over a shaft of the bolt and the shaft is engaged within the slide body. The slide body and toggle are inserted into an aperture through the layers of substrate in a first configuration until the conical spring contacts a front face of the layers of substrate. Compression of the conical spring against the front face advances the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on a back face of the layers of a substrate such that the toggle can switch to a second configuration that prevents retraction through the aperture. Extension of the conical spring automatically engages the toggle with the back face of the substrate to prevent rotation of the slide body within the aperture.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entiretyand made a part of the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosure generally relates to devices for attaching a plurality ofsubstrates and more particularly to devices for attaching a plurality ofsubstrates where only one side of a first substrate is accessible.

Related Art

The disclosed embodiments were conceived in relation to the constructionarts and in particular in relation to the addition of wooden decks tohouses. Decks are extremely popular on new homes and are becomingextremely popular as add-ons to older homes. The National Association ofHome Builders estimates that wood decks are included in nearly one-thirdof new homes, and are the most popular do-it-yourself constructionproject. A vast number of decks built in the last 30 years are in needof re-building, and many of these need to be redesigned with improvedtechnology to make them safer. Deck collapses are not uncommon, and mostdeck collapses can be attributed to failure of the anchoring systemanchoring the deck to the associated structure.

A common method for attaching a deck to an associated structure isnailing a deck beam to the rim joists of the structure. This method,however, is prone to failure over time. While nails generally havesufficient tensile strength to resist the vertical shearing forcecreated by the weight of the deck and its contents, nails do not providegreat strength laterally and are prone to pullout. Wood screws and lagscrews can be used in place of nails to provide additional lateralstrength, however screws are also prone to failure, particularly whenthere is localized rot or other decay proximate to the screw, or agingof the substrate causes enlargement of the hole around the screw.

A superior method for attaching a deck to an associated structureutilizes a bolt and nut assembly. Generally this method involves placinga bolt fitted with a washer into a hole which has been pre-drilledthrough both the deck beam and the rim-joist. The bolt is then fittedwith a second washer and nut on the back side of the rim joist. The nutand second washer provide substantial resistance against pull-out forceseven when there is localized rot common to older decks. Nevertheless,despite the superiority of the bolt and nut assembly, lack of access tothe backside of the rim joist in many applications makes the use of thebolt and nut assembly impractical or even impossible.

Many attempts have been made to provide a device for joining two or moresubstrates which device provides high pull-out resistance and which canbe deployed when the substrates can be accessed only from one side. Forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,017,800, Cohen teaches an anchor bolt withan expanding sleeve particularly suited for joining two asbestos panels.The anchor bolt taught by Cohen however, requires a bolt-sleeve madefrom a compressible, flexible material which makes it ill-suited forheavy-duty applications such as joining a deck to a home.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,613, Prentice teaches a fastener apparatus thatfeatures projecting locking members that extend and retract when acentral drive shaft is rotated. To use this fastener, however, aninternal shaft must be rotated to extend locking members before thefastener apparatus may be tightened.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,420, Passer La Roy teaches a hollow wallfastening receptacle which can be used in combination with a screw tosecure an object to a wall. This fastening receptacle requires that ahole be drilled through the wall for deployment of the device before theobject can be attached to the fastening receptacle via a screw.

Thus, there is a need for a durable device for easily attaching aplurality of substrates together when only one side of the substrates isaccessible. It is therefore, an object of one or more of the embodimentsdisclosed herein to provide a fastening device for joining substrateswhich may be deployed when only one side of the substrates isaccessible.

A further object of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein isto provide a fastening device which can be secured using a single tool.

A further object of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein isto provide a fastening device which can be deployed through a substratewithout pre-drilling a hole through the substrates.

SUMMARY

It is an object of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein toprovide a fastening device for joining a plurality of substrates whichprovides for high pull-out resistance, and simplicity of use. In oneconfiguration, an internally threaded shoulder bolt is used incombination with one or more (e.g., a plurality of) deployable stopbars. The deployable stop bars are hingedly attached to a slide collarwhich is slidably mounted on a slide bolt. The slide bolt is threaded towork in conjunction with the internal threads of the shoulder bolt. Insome configurations, a spring is provided to bias the stop bars topositions which are substantially perpendicular to the slide bolt. Whenthe fastening device is in its undeployed state, a retaining ring ismounted on the slide collar to hold the stop bars in positions whereeach stop bar is substantially parallel to the slide bolt.

To secure the fastening device, the fastening device is driven throughthe substrates to be joined. The fastening device may be driven throughpre-drilled holes in the substrates. In one embodiment the fasteningdevice has a rigid and pointed tip and may be pushed or hammered throughthe substrates. In another embodiment the fastening device has a drilltip and may be driven though the substrates by rotation of the fasteningdevice. As the fastening device is driven through the substrates, theretaining ring is pressed against the first substrate and is urged offof the slide collar, allowing the spring to bias the stop bars towards aposition perpendicular to the slide bolt. When the slide collar and stopbars emerge on the opposite side of the substrates, the stop bars aredeployed. Once the stop bars are deployed, the shoulder bolt is rotatedcausing the slide bolt to move inwardly into the hollow sleeve of theshoulder bolt and compressing the substrates between the stop bars and aflange on the shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt is rotated until adesired torque is reached.

In one embodiment, a fastener for attaching together layers of asubstrate, includes a slide body configured to be received within anaperture through the substrate. The slide body has a first end and asecond end. The first end has a tapped opening. A bolt engages with theslide body. The bolt has a head and a threaded shaft. The threaded shaftis engageable within the tapped opening of the slide body. A toggleprevents removal of the fastener from the aperture. The toggle has apivot coupled with the second end of the slide body. The toggle has afirst configuration in which the toggle can advance with within theaperture and a second configuration which prevents the fastener frombeing retracted from the aperture. A conical spring has a narrow end anda wide end. The conical spring is disposed over the threaded shaft ofthe bolt with the narrow end of the conical spring adjacent to the headof the bolt and the wide end of the conical spring adjacent to the firstend of the slide body. The slide body is inserted within the aperturefrom a front face of the substrate with the toggle in the firstconfiguration and advanced within the aperture until the wide end of theconical spring engages with the front face of the substrate. Compressionof the conical spring further advances the slide body within theaperture and advances the toggle a clearance length out of the apertureon a back face of the substrate such that the toggle can switch to thesecond configuration. Extension of the conical spring retracts the slidebody within the aperture and engages the toggle with the back face ofthe substrate to prevent retraction of the slide body through theaperture. The bolt is tightened to compress the conical spring and toengage with the front face through the conical spring.

In another embodiment, the slide body is cylindrical and has an outerdiameter between 0.125″ and 1.0″ and the toggle in the firstconfiguration has an outer diameter that is smaller than or equal to adiameter of the aperture of the substrate and a diameter that is largerthan the diameter of the aperture in the second configuration.

In another embodiment, the toggle has a single stop bar, the single stopbar pivotably engaged with the second end of the slide body by a pivot.

In another embodiment, the toggle is eccentrically mounted with respectto the pivot such that the force of gravity can rotate the single stopbar about the pivot into the second configuration.

In another embodiment, the toggle has a pair of stop bars that rotateabout a pivot and a torsional spring biases the toggle into the secondconfiguration.

In another embodiment, the conical spring is compressible into aflattened state.

In another embodiment, the fastener includes a washer. The washer isdisposed between the wide end of the conical spring and the slide body.The washer provides a bearing surface for the conical spring to actagainst the front face of the substrate.

In another embodiment, a compressive length of the conical spring is thesame as or greater than the clearance length of the toggle from theaperture.

In another embodiment, a length of the fastener from the first end ofthe slide body to the pivot of the toggle is equal to the sum of a widthof each of the layers of the substrate, plus the clearance length of thetoggle, minus a fraction of the width of one of the plurality ofsubstrates, the fraction between selected from between ⅛ and ⅞.

One embodiment of a fastener for attaching together layers of asubstrate through an aperture includes a slide body having a first endand a second end, the first end having a tapped opening. A bolt has ahead and a threaded shaft. A toggle has a pivot coupled with the secondend of the slide body; the toggle has a first configuration in which thetoggle has a first diameter and a second configuration in which thetoggle has a second diameter. A conical spring is disposed on the shaftbetween the slide body and the head. The toggle in the firstconfiguration and the slide body are inserted within the aperture from afront face of the substrate and compression of the conical springagainst the front face advances the toggle a clearance length out of theaperture on a back face of the substrate such that the toggle can switchto the second configuration. Extension of the conical springautomatically engages the toggle with the back face of the substrate andthe bolt is tightened to compress the conical spring between the headand the front face.

In another embodiment, the toggle has a single stop bar, the single stopbar pivotably engaged with the second end of the slide body by a pivot.

In another embodiment, the toggle is eccentrically mounted with respectto the pivot such that the force of gravity can rotate the single stopbar about the pivot into the second configuration.

In another embodiment, the toggle comprises a pair of stop bars thatrotate about a pivot and a torsional spring biases the toggle into thesecond configuration.

In another embodiment, the conical spring is compressible into aflattened state.

In another embodiment, the fastener includes a washer disposed between awide end of the conical spring and the slide body. The washer provides abearing surface for the conical spring to act against the front face ofthe substrate.

In another embodiment, a compressive length of the conical spring is thesame as or greater than the clearance length of the toggle from theaperture.

Embodiments of the disclosure possess many other advantages, and hasother objects which may be made more clearly apparent from aconsideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose,there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and formingpart of the present specification, and which drawings, unless asotherwise indicated, are true scale. These forms will now be describedin detail, illustrating the general principles of the embodiments; butit is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined bythe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown several of the variouspossible embodiments of the subject anchoring device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the fastening device in its insertionposition and fastening three substrates.

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the fastening device in its undeployed state.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the fastening device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the fastening device fastening threesubstrates.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the anchor portion of the fastening deviceengaged in the shoulder bolt portion.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a fastener.

FIG. 7 shows the fastener of FIG. 6 within an aperture of a substrate.

FIG. 8 shows the fastener of FIG. 6 advanced within the aperture.

FIG. 9 shows a toggle of the fastener of FIG. 6 engaged with a back faceof the substrate.

FIG. 10 shows the fastener of FIG. 6 in a fully tightened configuration.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 6 in the fullytightened configuration.

FIG. 12 shows yet another embodiment of a fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a fastening device in accordancewith the present invention is shown. The fastening device includesgenerally a shoulder bolt 10 and an anchor 20. The shoulder bolt has aninternally threaded shaft 11 and a head 12, the diameter of the headbeing larger than the diameter of the shaft.

The anchor 20 comprises a slide bolt 21 which is threaded on a first endto work in conjunction with the internally threaded shaft 11. A secondend of the slide bolt defines a plurality of slide bolt notches 26. Aslide collar 22 is slidably disposed on a second end of the slide bolt21 and a cap 23 is fixedly attached to the second end of the slide bolt21. A biasing element, such as a spring 24, is disposed on the secondend of the slide bolt between the cap 23 and the slide collar 22.

The anchor 20 further comprises a plurality of stop bars 25, hingedlyattached to the slide collar 22. In a preferred embodiment, hinge pins30 are utilized to hingedly attach the stop bars to the slide collar.The stop bars 25 are shaped to define substantially V-shaped projections27 which are sized to fit within the slide bolt notches 26 defined inthe second end of the slide bolt 21. When the stop bars 25 are disposedso that the projections 27 are within the slide bolt notches 26, theslide collar and the stop bars define a cylinder with an outer diametersubstantially the same as the outer diameter of the internally threadedshaft 11.

The slide collar 22 defines a retaining ring groove 29 and each of thestop bars also define stop bar grooves 30 such that when the stop bars25 are disposed so that the projections 27 are within the slide boltnotches 26 the grooves defined by the stop bars are aligned with theretaining ring groove 29 defined by slide collar 22. When the fasteningdevice is in its undeployed state, a retaining ring 28 is fitted withinthe retaining ring groove 29 and the stop bar grooves 30 to retain theprojections 27 within the slide bolt notches 26 as shown in FIG. 2 .

To secure the fastening device, the fastening device is first driventhrough the substrates to be joined. The fastening device may be driventhrough pre-drilled holes in the substrates. In one embodiment the cap23 is rigid and pointed so that the fastening device may be pushed orhammered through the substrates. In another embodiment the cap is adrill and the fastening device may be driven through the substrates byrotation of the fastening device. As the fastening device is driventhrough the substrates, the retaining ring 28 is pressed against thefirst substrate 40 and is urged out of the retaining ring groove 29 andoff of the slide collar 22. When the retaining ring 28 is removed fromthe slide collar 22 the stop bars 25 are permitted to rotate in relationto the slide collar 22 and the projections may disengage from the slidebolt notches 26. With the projections 27 disengaged from the slide boltnotches 26, the spring 24 biases the slide collar 22 to slidedirectionally towards the shoulder bolt 10. As the slide collar 22slides directionally towards the shoulder bolt 10 the stop bars 25 arebiased towards a position perpendicular to the slide bolt 21. When theslide collar 22 and stop bars 25 emerge on the opposite side of theplurality of substrates, the stop bars 25 are deployed in a positionsubstantially perpendicular to the slide bolt 21. FIG. 5 shows thefastening device with the stop bars 25 deployed.

Once the stop bars 25 are deployed, the shoulder bolt 10 is rotatedcausing the slide bolt 21 to move inwardly into the shaft 11 of theshoulder bolt 10, compressing the substrates between the stop bars 25and a flange 13 on the shoulder bolt 10. The shoulder bolt 10 is rotateduntil a desired torque is reached.

FIG. 1 shows the fastening device fastening a first substrate 40, asecond substrate 41 and third substrate 42. The retaining ring 28 can beseen between the head 12 and the first substrate 40. The cap 23, theslide collar 22 and the stop bars 25 can be seen emerging from the thirdsubstrate. The operation of the fastening device is more clearlydepicted in FIG. 4 . The retaining ring 28 can be seen between the head12 and the first substrate 40. As the shoulder bolt 10 is rotated theinternally threaded shaft 11 works with the threaded first end of theslide bolt 21 to draw the slide bolt directionally towards the head 12,compressing the spring 24 between the cap 23 and the slide collar 22 andcompressing the substrates between the head 12 and the stop bars 25.

Additional Embodiments

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate another embodiment of a fastening device orfastener 100. The fastener 100 can be used to couple with a substrate150. The substrate 150 can include one or more substrate layers 151,152. The substrate layers can have widths W1, W2. An aperture 153 canextend through the substrate 150 from a front side or face 154 to a rearside or face 155. In some implementations, the aperture 153 can bepre-drilled to allow the fastener 100 to pass through the substrate 150.The substrate 150 can comprise any material or combination of materials,including building and construction materials such as wooden framingelements, concrete and/or gypsum board or paneling.

The fastener 100 can include a bolt 110. The bolt 110 can be aconventional bolt such as found in hardware stores and otherdistributors. The bolt 110 can have a head 112 and a shaft 111. Theshaft 111 can be threaded. The threading and diameter of the shaft 111can be of any suitable sizing (e.g., conventional sizing such as ⅜″-16,#10-24, etc.). The head 112 can be attached to the shaft 111. The head112 can have a drive portion shaped to engage with an assembly tool,such as a wrench, socket or screwdriver driver. For example, the head112 can be externally hexagonal, square or include an internal toolcavity, such as slotted, cruciform, single or multiple square, torx,star or hexagonal. The head 112 can optionally include a flange or beused in combination with a washer, such as a flat washer.

The fastener 100 can further include a biasing element 120 configured tomove the fastener 100 relative to the substrate 150. The biasing element120 can be or include any suitable compressible media, such as any typeof spring or resilient element. The biasing element 120 can be apermanent or a sacrificial element of the fastener 100. For example, thebiasing element 120 could be or include a polymer element, such as asoft durometer urethane. The biasing element 120 could be configured forremoval (e.g., torn away) at any suitable time, such as after theinitial installation of the fastener 100. For example, the biasingelement 120 could be removed once the fastener 100 is sufficientlysecured that it is unlikely to rotate in response to rotation of thebolt 110. References to a conical spring 120 herein are for conveniencein describing the illustrated embodiment, but can also refer to anyother suitable type of biasing element.

In the illustrated arrangement, the biasing element is a cone-shapedcompression spring or a conical spring 120. The conical spring 120 canbe mounted on the shaft 111 of the bolt 110. The conical spring 120 cancomprise a narrow end 121 and a wide end 122. Between the narrow end 121and the wide end 122, the overall shape of the conical spring 120 can begenerally tapered to form a cone shape or similar shape. The conicalspring 120 can be formed of a length of wire 123. The wire 123 can becoiled to form the tapered shape of the spring 120. The conical spring120 can have an uncompressed length and can be compressible tocompressed length. The conical spring 120 can exert a force that isvaries with and/or is proportional to the compression of the springalong its length (e.g., axially between the narrow and tapered ends 121,122). The spring rate of the conical spring 120 can be linear ornon-linear.

In some implementations, the conical spring 120 can be compressedsubstantially or fully into a flattened state. In such a state the coilsof the tapered spring of the wire 123 can be nested within each otherbetween the wide end 122 and the narrow end 121 such that the overallspring length is compressed to be substantially the diameter of the wire123. In some implementations, the spring 120 can exert its maximum forcein the flattened configuration. When assembled over the shaft 111, thenarrow end 121 of the spring 120 can be adjacent to the head 112. Insome implementations, a diameter of the narrow end 121 can be less thanthe diameter of the head 112 (or a flange thereof). However, in otherarrangements, the wide end 122 can be positioned adjacent the head 112.In such arrangements, the head 112 can have a sufficiently largediameter or cross-sectional dimension to provide a base for the wide end122 of the conical spring 120 or a washer (e.g., washer 133) could beemployed, among other possible arrangements.

The fastener 100 can further include a slide body 130. In someimplementations, the slide body 130 can be generally cylindrical inshape. The slide body 130 can comprise a first end 131 and a second end132. The slide body 130 can be configured to be received within and/orextend through the aperture 153 of the substrate 150. The slide body 130can have a diameter. In some implementations, the diameter can bebetween approximately 0.125″ and 1.0″. In other implementations, thediameter can be larger or smaller than the range provided here and/orinclude portions with larger or smaller diameters. A diameter of theaperture 153 can be slightly larger than the diameter of the slide body130 (e.g., greater than or approximately 0.001 and 0.010 inches largerin some implementations).

The first end 131 of the slide body 130 can include an opening or cavityfor receiving the shaft 111 of the bolt 110. An internal surface of theopening can include threads to threadingly engage with threads of theshaft 111. A washer 133 can be disposed over the shaft 111 and contactthe conical spring 120. The conical spring 120 can press the washer 133into contact with the first end 131. The first end 131 can be generallyflat and/or perpendicularly oriented with respect to a longitudinal axisof the slide body 130.

The second end of 132 of the slide body 130 can comprise or support atoggle 140. The toggle 140 can comprise a stop link or stop bar. Thetoggle 140 can be used engage the fastener 100 with the rear face 155 ofthe substrate 150. The toggle 140 can include a first end 141 and asecond end 142. The toggle 140 can be coupled with the second end 132 bya pin or pivot 143. The toggle 140 can be sized and shaped, or otherwiseconfigured, to pass through the aperture 153 in a first configurationand to engage the rear face 155 in a second configuration to therebyprevent passage through the aperture 153. The toggle 140 can have adiameter or cross-sectional size that is the same as, or substantiallythe same as, the slide body 130.

In the first configuration, the toggle 140 can pass through the aperture153. For example, the second end 132 of the slide body 130 can be shapedto be semi-cylindrical in cross-section and the second end 142 of thetoggle 140 can be shaped in a complementary manner (e.g.,semi-cylindrical in cross-section) to together form a circularcross-section. The first configuration can be formed where the toggle140 is oriented about the pivot 143 to be axially aligned with slidebody 130 to form an outer diameter that fits within the aperture 153. Inother implementations, the toggle 140 can be otherwise compressed in thefirst configuration (e.g., the toggle 140 can be spring-loaded). In someimplementations, the toggle 140 is manually positioned in the firstconfiguration (e.g., by a user). In some implementations, the insertionof the slide body 130 and toggle 140 into the aperture 153 will compressthe toggle 140 into the first configuration.

In the second configuration, the toggle 140 can be sized, shaped,oriented or otherwise configured to prevent passage through the aperture153. For example, the toggle 140 can have a length TL that is greaterthan the diameter of the aperture 153. When inserted through theaperture 153 in the first configuration, the toggle 140 can switch intothe second configuration. The length TL defined by a linear surfaceextending in a lengthwise direction of the toggle 140 in the secondconfiguration (e.g., perpendicular to the aperture 153) can prevent thetoggle 140 and the slide body 130 from being removed from the aperture153 (i.e., in the direction of the front face 154).

The toggle 140 can be switched from the first configuration to thesecond configuration by the force of gravity. For example, the toggle140 can be eccentrically coupled with the pivot 143 such that the toggle140 is biased to rotate about the pivot 143 under the force of gravity.As shown in FIG. 8 , the first end 141 can have a first length TL1 andthe second end 142 can have a second length TL2. The first length TL1can be greater than the second length TL2 or otherwise configured to beactuated by gravity. For example, the lengths TL1 and TL2 can beconfigured relative to the overall length TL, shape or center of gravityof the toggle 140 such that the toggle 140 tends to rotate to the secondorientation—or out of axial alignment with the slide body—in response togravity and without any external force sufficient to overcome thegravitational force. In some implementations, the pivot 143 can includea spring (e.g., a torsional spring) to bias the toggle 140 towards orinto the second configuration.

In use, the fastener 100 can be assembled with the substrate 150. Thiscan, for example, couple together the layers 151, 152. The spring 120and the washer 133 can be assembled over the shaft 111 of the bolt 110and the bolt 110 can be assembled (e.g., threadingly engaged) with theslide body 130. The toggle 140 can be switched (e.g., manually or byinterference with the aperture 153) into the first configuration and thefastener 100 can be inserted into the substrate 150. The toggle 140and/or the second end 132 of the slide body 130 can be inserted into theaperture 153 from the front face 154, as shown in FIG. 7 . The slidebody 130 can be advanced within the aperture 153.

The fastener 100 can be advanced within the aperture 153 until the wideend 122 of the conical spring 120 engages with the front face 151. Thewide end 122 can press against the surface of the front face 152 (e.g.,through the optional washer 133). The narrow end 121 can engage the head112. The spring 120 can define a compression length S, the totaldistance the spring 120 can be compressed. In some implementations, theconical spring 120 can be compressed more than a conventionalnon-tapered spring having a similar total length because of the conicalshape factor of the conical spring 120.

A lateral force (e.g., from a user) on the head 112 can compress thespring 120 (reduce the compression length S). The compression of thespring (either fully or partially) can advance the toggle 140 out of theaperture 153 on the rear side 155. In some implementations, thecompression length S can be selected such that the pivot 143 can beadvanced a clearance length CL out of the aperture 153. In someimplementations, the clearance length CL can be equal to or greater thanthe second length TL2. In some cases, it may be necessary or desirablefor the clearance length CL to be greater than the second length TL2such that an entirety of the second end 142 can clear the rear side 155of the substrate when moving through an arcuate path of motion. Thus,the compression length S of the spring 120 may be substantially equal toor greater than the second length TL2 or the clearance length CL. Thecompression length S can be selected with consideration of the secondlength TL2 and shape of the toggle 140 to be sufficient to permitactuation or movement of the toggle 140 from the first configuration tothe second configuration. Although the shape of the toggle 140 caninfluence the exact requirement for the compression length S, it isexpected that the compression length S will be approximately equal to orgreater than the second length TL2. The toggle 140 can then move towardsthe second configuration, as shown in-transition in FIG. 8 . A releaseof the force on the head 112 can allow the spring 120 to extend (eitherpartially of fully). The extension of the spring 120 can pull the toggle140 into engagement with the rear side 155 of the substrate 150, asshown in FIG. 9 .

The compression and/or extension of the spring 120 to automaticallyengage the toggle 140 with the rear side 155 facilitates theinstallation of the fastener 100 within the substrate 150. Theengagement of the toggle 140 with the rear side 155 can enable orfacilitate turning of the bolt 110 to tighten the fastener 100 (e.g., byadvancing the bolt 110 further within the slide body 130). Theengagement of the toggle 140 with the rear side 155 can prevent theslide body 130 from turning with the bolt 110 during tightening of thefastener 100. In some configurations, the force produced by the spring120 is sufficient to allow the bolt 110 to be tightened without theapplication of an extraneous force on the slide body 130, which may bedifficult to apply. Thus, the spring 120 may hold the toggle 140 againstthe rear side 155 of the substrate 150 with sufficient force such thatfriction between the toggle 140 and the rear side 155 (along with anyresistance to rotation of the slide body 130 due to engagement with thesubstrate 155 within the aperture 153) inhibits or prevents rotation ofthe slide body 130 within the aperture 153. The bolt 110 can thus betightened as desired by the user to couple the layers 151, 152, as shownin FIG. 10 . In some implementations, the bolt 110 is tightened and theconical spring 120 is collapsed. In some implementations, the spring 120can be fully collapsed to the flattened state (e.g., leaving a thicknessonly of the wire 123) to enable a firm engagement of the head 112 withthe washer 133 and/or the front face 154. The washer 133 can act as abearing surface for the spring 120 to engage with the front face 154.

The fastener 100 can include a length L. The length L can extend fromthe first end 131 of the slide body 130 to the pivot 143. The user canselect the fastener 100 and/or the configuration of the fastener 100based on the selection of length L. Thus length L can be based on any ofvarious factors. For example, the length L can be selected by a userbased the width of the substrate 150, the compression of the spring 120,the total length of the toggle 140 L and/or the first or second linklengths TL1, TL2. In one implementation, the length L is equal to widthsW1 and W2 of the layers 151, 152, plus the clearance length CL (or thesecond link length TL2), minus a fractional portion (fraction) of one ofthe widths W1 or W2. In some implementations, the fraction can bebetween ⅛ and ⅞. In one implementation, the fraction is ¼. For example,the substrate 150 can include a two-by-four board and a four-by-four(2″×4″ and 4″×4″ or sanded equivalents). The clearance length CL of thetoggle 140 can be 1.0″. Following the above formulae using a fraction of¼ of the four-by-four, the length L for the fastener 100 is 6″.

The compression length S of the spring 120 preferably is greater than orequal to the clearance length CL. This ensures that the spring 120 canextend far enough at the front side 154 to engage the toggle 140 withthe rear side 155 and/or ensures that the spring 120 continues to applya force to engage the toggle 140 with the rear side 155 (e.g., duringtightening) without user intervention between the insertion andtightening steps. The clearance length CL for the purposes of comparisonwith the compression length S can be adjusted based on the shape andprofile of the toggle 140. For example, as shown the clearance length CLcan be subtracted by half the diameter of the toggle 140. Other formulaefor appropriate lengths of the fastener components also exist and wouldbe within the ordinary skill in view of the description herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates another fastener embodiment, fastener 200. Thefastener 200 can be structured with similar components and usedsimilarly to the fastener 100, as described above. The fastener 200 caninclude a bolt 210, a biasing element (e.g., a conical spring 220), aslide body 230 and a toggle 240. The toggle 240 can include first andsecond stop bars 241, 242. The first and second stop bars 241, 242 canbe pivotably engaged with a pivot 243. The pivot 243 can be engaged witha second end 232 of the slide body 230. A torsional spring can bias thestop bars 241, 242, into a second configuration (e.g., an openposition). The second configuration can engage with a back face 255 of asubstrate 250. The stop bars 241, 242 can be rotated together into afirst configuration (e.g., a compressed position). The firstconfiguration can have a diameter that's smaller than an aperture 253through the substrate 250.

The fastener 200 can be advanced through the substrate 250 to coupletogether substrate layers thereof. The toggle 240 can be advanced intothe aperture 253 in the first configuration. The spring 220 can engagewith a front face 254 of the substrate 250. Pressure on the bolt 210 cancompress the spring 220 and advance the toggle 240 out of the aperture253. The toggle 240 can switch into the second configuration (e.g., byexpansion of the torsional spring). Thus, a compression length S of thespring 220 preferably is substantially equal to or greater than a lengthTL of one or both of the stop bars 241, 242 so that the spring 220 canextend far enough at the front face 254 to engage the toggle 240 withthe back face 255. The compression length S can be selected withconsideration of the length TL and shape of the stop bars 241, 242 to besufficient to permit actuation or movement of the toggle 240 from thefirst configuration to the second configuration. Although the shape ofthe stop bars 241, 242 can influence the exact requirements, it isexpected that the compression length S will be approximately equal to orgreater than the length TL.

The first and second stop bars 241, 242 can be open in the secondconfiguration and prevent removal of the slide body 230 from theaperture 253 by engagement with the back face 255. The first and secondstop bars 241, 242 can be prevented from expansion away from the slidebody 230 by mechanical interference between the stop bars between eachother and/or between the second end 232 or the pivot 243 or other meansthereby. The spring 220 can extend to automatically engage linearsurfaces of respective ones of the stop bars 241, 242, that are alignedwith one another in a colinear manner, with the back face 255. The bolt210 can be tightened by turning with respect to the slide body 230. Theslide body 230 can be held substantially in place by the spring 220 andthe toggle 240. The user can thus tighten the fastener 200. Tighteningof the bolt 210 can include compression of the conical spring 220 to aflattened or substantially flattened state.

The present examples are to be considered illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the detail givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly of an anchoring fastener and a building construction substrate in which only a front side of the substrate is accessible, comprising: an elongate body comprising a bolt, the elongate body received within an aperture through the substrate, the elongate body having a first end and a second end, the bolt comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a toggle carried by the elongate body, wherein the toggle prevents removal of the fastener from the aperture, the toggle comprising at least one stop bar having at least one linear surface extending from a first end to a second end of the at least one stop bar, the at least one stop bar pivotably engaged with the second end of the elongate body by a pivot, the toggle having a first configuration in which the toggle can advance with within the aperture and a second configuration which prevents the fastener from being retracted from the aperture; a conical spring, the conical spring having a narrow end and a wide end, the conical spring disposed over the threaded shaft of the bolt with the narrow end of the conical spring adjacent to the head of the bolt; wherein the anchoring fastener has an installed position in which the conical spring is fully compressed between the head of the bolt and a front face of the substrate and the at least one linear surface of the at least one stop bar is engaged with a back face of the substrate; wherein the anchoring fastener is configured to be converted from an uninstalled position to the installed position by inserting the elongate body into the aperture from the front face of the substrate with the toggle in the first configuration and advancing the elongate body within the aperture until the wide end of the conical spring engages with the front face of the substrate; wherein compression of the conical spring is configured to further advance the elongate body within the aperture and advance the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on the back face of the substrate such that the toggle moves to the second configuration; wherein extension of the conical spring is configured to retract the elongate body within the aperture and wherein a force of the conical spring engages the at least one linear surface of the toggle with the back face of the substrate such that contact between the at least one linear surface of the toggle and the back face inhibits rotation of the toggle relative to the substrate in response to rotation of the bolt and wherein the at least one stop bar prevents retraction of the elongate body through the aperture; wherein the bolt is configured to be rotated to compress the conical spring and to engage with the front face of the substrate through the conical spring when the anchoring fastener is in the installed position.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is cylindrical and has a maximum outer diameter between 0.125″ and 1.0″ and the toggle in the first configuration has an outer diameter that is smaller than or equal to a diameter of the aperture of the substrate and a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the aperture in the second configuration.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop bar comprises a first stop bar and a second stop bar and the at least one linear surface comprises a first linear surface defined by the first stop bar and a second linear surface defined by the second stop bar, wherein the first linear surface and the second linear surface are aligned in a colinear manner in the second configuration of the toggle.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the toggle is biased into the second configuration.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the conical spring is compressible into a flattened state.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer, the washer disposed on the elongate body adjacent the wide end of the conical spring, the washer providing a bearing surface for the conical spring to act against the front face of the substrate.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a compressive length of the conical spring is the same as or greater than the clearance length of the toggle from the aperture.
 8. A fastener for attachment to a building construction substrate in which only a front side of the substrate is accessible, comprising: an elongate body comprising a bolt, the elongate body configured to be received within an aperture through the substrate, the elongate body having a first end and a second end, the bolt comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a toggle carried by the elongate body, wherein the toggle is configured to prevent removal of the fastener from the aperture, the toggle comprising at least one stop bar having at least one linear surface extending from a first end to a second end of the at least one stop bar, the at least one stop bar pivotally coupled with the second end of the elongate body, the toggle having a first configuration in which the toggle can advance with within the aperture and a second configuration which prevents the fastener from being retracted from the aperture; a conical spring, the conical spring having a narrow end and a wide end, the conical spring disposed over the threaded shaft of the bolt with the narrow end of the conical spring adjacent to the head of the bolt; wherein the fastener has an installed position in which the conical spring is fully compressed between the head of the bolt and a front face of the substrate and the at least one linear surface of the at least one stop bar is engaged with a back face of the substrate; wherein the fastener is configured to be converted from an uninstalled position to the installed position by inserting the elongate body into the aperture from the front face of the substrate with the toggle in the first configuration and advanced within the aperture until the wide end of the conical spring engages with the front face of the substrate; wherein compression of the conical spring further advances the elongate body within the aperture and advances the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on a back face of the substrate such that the toggle can move to the second configuration; wherein extension of the conical spring retracts the elongate body within the aperture and wherein a force of the conical spring is configured to engage the at least one linear surface of the toggle with the back face of the substrate such that contact between the at least one linear surface of the toggle and the back face inhibits rotation of the toggle relative to the substrate in response to rotation of the bolt and the at least one stop bar prevents retraction of the elongate body through the aperture; wherein the bolt is configured to be rotated to compress the conical spring and to engage with the front face of the substrate through the conical spring when the fastener is in the installed position.
 9. The fastener of claim 8, wherein the elongate body is cylindrical and has a maximum outer diameter between 0.125″ and 1.0″ and the toggle in the first configuration has an outer diameter that is smaller than or equal to a diameter of the aperture of the substrate and a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the aperture in the second configuration.
 10. The fastener of claim 8, wherein the at least one stop bar comprises a first stop bar and a second stop bar and the at least one linear surface comprises a first linear surface defined by the first stop bar and a second linear surface defined by the second stop bar, wherein the first linear surface and the second linear surface are aligned in a colinear manner in the second configuration of the toggle.
 11. The fastener of claim 10, wherein the toggle is biased into the second configuration.
 12. The fastener of claim 8, wherein the conical spring is compressible into a flattened state.
 13. The fastener of claim 8, further comprising a washer, the washer disposed on the elongate body adjacent the wide end of the conical spring, the washer providing a bearing surface for the conical spring to act against the front face of the substrate.
 14. The fastener of claim 8, wherein a compressive length of the conical spring is the same as or greater than the clearance length of the toggle from the aperture.
 15. A fastener for attachment to a building construction substrate in which only a front side of the substrate is accessible, comprising: an elongate body comprising a bolt, the elongate body configured to be received within an aperture through the substrate, the elongate body having a first end and a second end, the bolt comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a toggle carried by the elongate body, wherein the toggle is configured to prevent removal of the fastener from the aperture, the toggle comprising at least one stop bar having at least one linear surface extending from a first end to a second end of the at least one stop bar, the at least one stop bar pivotally coupled with the second end of the elongate body, the toggle having a first configuration in which the toggle can advance with within the aperture and a second configuration which prevents the fastener from being retracted from the aperture; a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring disposed over the threaded shaft of the bolt with the first end towards the head of the bolt and the second end towards the toggle; wherein the fastener has an installed position in which the spring is fully compressed between the head of the bolt and a front face of the substrate and the at least one linear surface of the at least one stop bar is engaged with a back face of the substrate; wherein the fastener is configured to be converted from an uninstalled position to the installed position by inserting the elongate body into the aperture from the front face of the substrate with the toggle in the first configuration and advanced within the aperture until the second end of the spring engages with the front face of the substrate; wherein compression of the spring further advances the elongate body within the aperture and advances the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on a back face of the substrate such that the toggle can move to the second configuration; wherein extension of the spring retracts the elongate body within the aperture and wherein a force of the spring is configured to engage the at least one linear surface of the toggle with the back face of the substrate such that contact between the at least one linear surface of the toggle and the back face inhibits rotation of the toggle relative to the substrate in response to rotation of the bolt and the at least one stop bar prevents retraction of the elongate body through the aperture; wherein the bolt is configured to be rotated to compress the spring and to engage with the front face of the substrate through the spring when the fastener is in the installed position.
 16. The fastener of claim 15, wherein the at least one stop bar comprises a first stop bar and a second stop bar and the at least one linear surface comprises a first linear surface defined by the first stop bar and a second linear surface defined by the second stop bar, wherein the first linear surface and the second linear surface are aligned in a colinear manner in the second configuration of the toggle.
 17. The fastener of claim 16, wherein the toggle further comprises a torsional spring biases the toggle into the second configuration.
 18. The fastener of claim 15, wherein the spring is compressible into a flattened state.
 19. The fastener of claim 15, further comprising a washer, the washer disposed on the elongate body adjacent the second end of the spring, the washer providing a bearing surface for the spring to act against the front face of the substrate.
 20. The fastener of claim 15, wherein a compressive length of the spring is the same as or greater than the clearance length of the toggle from the aperture. 